Kathmandu, October 1

Prithivi Malla landed maiden major trophy in his first appearance when he won the amateur section title in the Surya Nepal Central Open here at the Gokarna Golf Club today.

The 17-year-old Malla, a 12th grade Business Studies student at Malpi Institute, posted a total score of 21-over 309 to finish first among the amateur players. He trailed Maj Nischaya Jung Rayamajhi by two shots on the first day, surged atop the leaderboard after the second round and went on to won the trophy.

After the five-over 77 in the first round, Malla shot 74 and 76 over the next two days to open up an 11-stroke lead. He faltered to 10-over 82 on the final day but that was enough for a five-stroke victory over Maj Rayamajhi, who played the rounds of 75, 80, 83 and 76.

Tenzing Tsering, who has qualified for next year’s Faldo Series Asia Final in 12-16yrs section, was a distant third at 321 after he posted 81, 77, 83 and 80 in four rounds. Out of the nine amateurs, only three had survived the cut that was applied at 17-over 161 after second round.

“Except for today, I played well in the first tournament,” said Malla, who started playing golf at the age of seven. The four-handicap amateur at the Gokarna Golf Club, Malla has planned to give continuity to golf and compete in international stage in future.

“I will play the Surya Nepal Golf Tour events for another six-seven months until I finish my school,” he said. “After that I will most probably join golf academy in the United States, which will allow me to pursue my studies and play golf at the same time,” added Malla. “For now, I will continue playing in Tour events and participate in international tournaments,” he said.

Malla has a dream of becoming Tiger Woods one day. “I liked him from childhood, Tiger Woods is my ideal player in golf and I want to become like him,” he said. “As there is no future at home, I will learn golf abroad and want to compete in Asian Tour and go up gradually,” he said.

“I have full support from my family and I think that is possible with the backing from my parents,” added Malla, who is a regular participant at the Surya Nepal Gokarna Monthly Medal and currently at the top of the gross section standing.